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Recreational Regulations for Federal Waters For Managed by the Gulf of Mexico Management Council January 2019 Photo: Muehlstein Photo: Dylan Hubbard Photo: Grant

This publication was prepared for general informational purposes and has no legal force or effect. Fishing regulations are subject to change. Check for updates by visiting www.gulfcouncil.org, or the Rules regulations app.

Download the Fish Rules regulations app - available for both iPhone and Android.

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A publication of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council pursuant to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Award No. NA15NMF4410011. Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council 4107 W. Spruce Street Suite 200 Tampa, 33607 888-833-1844/813-348-1630

Table of Contents

About Us 2 Recreational Regulations Fish - Snappers 3 Reef Fish - Other 5 Hogfish Management Boundary Map 7 Reef Fish - 8 1 | Shallow-water Closure Map 10 Shallow-water Grouper Closure Coordinates 11 Coastal Migratory Pelagics 12 and Other Species 13 Coral and Other Species 13 Highly Migratory Species 14 Recreational Permit Requirements 15 Additional Rules 16 Measurement Guidelines 17 Marine Sanctuarys and Area Closures 18 Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters 34 Important Phone Numbers 35 Regulation Changes and Updates 37 About the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council is one of eight regional Fishery Manage- ment Councils established by the Fishery Conservation and Management Act of 1976. The Council prepares fishery management plans, which are designed to manage fishery resources within the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

The Council consists of 17 voting members: the Southeast Regional Administrator of NOAA Southeast Regional Office, the directors of the five Gulf state marine resource management agencies, and 11 members who are nominated by the state governors and appointed by the Secretary of Commerce. | 2 There are also four non-voting members representing the U.S. Guard, U.S. Fish and Service, Department of State, and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

When reviewing potential rule changes, the Council draws upon the services of knowledgeable people from other state and federal agencies, universities, and the public to balance competing interests and achieve the greatest overall benefit to the nation.

Scoping workshops and public hearings are held throughout the Gulf coast to collect your input. Public comment is considered by the Council before it takes final action on proposed rule changes. The Council also collects comments on proposed changes through virtual meetings and online comment forms. Public testimony is heard during each Council meeting. After the Council takes final acton, proposed rule changes are submitted to National Marine Fisheries Service for further review and approval before implementation by the Secretary of Commerce. Regulations Reef Fish - Snappers

3 | Red Snapper Mutton Snapper Red Snapper Photo: Dylan Hubbard Photo: Rosemary White Photo: Scott Hickman

| 4 Reef Fish - Other

5 |

G o l d e n T i l e fi s h Blueline Tilefish Gray Triggerfish Photo: NOAA Photo: NOAA, Teacher at Sea Photo: NOAA, Teacher at Sea NOTES: • Pending implementation, for-hire vessel operators will have to make a trip declaration (hail out) prior to departing. Operators will also have to submit electronic fishing reports for each trip before offloading fish. Each vessel will need to be equipped with hardware that, at minimum, arcives GPS position. • For-hire captains and crew are prohibited from retaining of any grouper, , or red snapper while under charter. • Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters. • When fishing in state waters off Monroe County, FL, South Atlantic regulations apply.

| 6 Northern Gulf Coast Photo: NOAA Hogfish Boundary Map

7 |

Note: Hogfish - the Gulf stock is defined as the waters north of the line extending west from Sable, Florida (29° 09’ N). South of that demarcation is considered within the South Atlantic jurisdiction and is subject to South Atlantic regulations. Visit http://www.safmc.net/ Reef Fish - Groupers

| 8

Scamp Photo: NOAA 9 |

Scamp grouper Yellowedge grouper Photo: Gavin Redinger Photo: Dylan Hubbard Photo: Dylan Hubbard Shallow-water Grouper Closure (Map of the 20-fathom break) Title 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE , GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC Subpart B – Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico - §622.34 Seasonal and area closures designed to protect Gulf reef fish (d) Seasonal closure of the recreational sector for shallow-water grouper (SWG). The recreational sector for SWG, in or from the Gulf EEZ, is closed each from February 1 through March 31, in the portion of the Gulf EEZ seaward of rhumb lines connecting, in order, the points in the following table. During the closure, the bag and possession limit for SWG in or from the Gulf EEZ seaward of the following rhumb lines is zero.

| 10 Coordinates for the Shallow-water Grouper Closure (20-fathom break)

Position Latitude Longitude 1 24°48’00” N 82°48’00”W 2 25°07’30” N 82°34’00”W 3 26°26’00” N 82°59’00”W 4 27°30’ 00”N 83°21’30”W 5 28°10’ 00”N 83°45’00”W 6 28°11’ 00”N 84°00’00”W 7 28°11’ 00”N 84°07’00”W 8 28°26’ 36”N 84°24’48”W 9 28°42’ 30”N 84°24’48”W 10 29°05’ 00”N 84°47’00”W 11 29°02’ 30”N 85°09’00”W 12 29°21’00” N 85°30’00”W 13 29°27’54” N 85°51’42”W 14 29°45’ 48”N 85°51’00”W 15 30°05’ 36”N 86°18’30”W 11 | 16 30°07’ 30”N 86°56’30”W 17 29°43’ 54”N 87°33’48”W 18 29°43’ 00”N 88°18’30”W 19 At State/EEZ line, follow State/EEZ line to 88°56’00”W point 20 20 At State/EEZ line 89°28’24”W 21 29°02’ 00”N 89°45’30”W 22 28°32’ 42”N 90°21’30”W 23 28°24’48” N 90°52’42”W 24 28°42’ 18”N 92°14’24”W 25 28°34’ 12”N 92°30’24”W 26 28°27’36” N 95°00’00”W 27 28°20’ 00”N 95°06’54”W 28 28°02’ 12”N 96°11’06”W 29 27°46’30” N 96°38’06”W 30 27°15’ 00”N 97°00’00”W 31 26°45’30”N 97°01’24”W 32 At EEZ 96°51’00”W Cobia Spanish Photo: Ed Walker Photo: Carrie Simmons Photo: Dylan Hubbard

Coastal Migratory Pelagics | 12

Note: The 2-day bag limit allowance for qualified charter vessels and headboats on a trip in excess of 24 hours does not apply to cobia. Shellfish and Other Species

13 |

Spiny and Red Drum Spiny Lobster Photo: W.T. Pearson Photo: Dylan Hubbard Photo: Emily Muehlstein Coral and Other Species

Species Notes

Live Rock Harvest and possession of live rock is prohibited, except for permitted op- erations. Call 727-824-5763. Other Marine Life Marine life organisms from the EEZ harvested or possessed by Florida residents or landed Organisms in Florida are subject to Florida’s Marine Life Rule. Contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for more information at 850-487-3122. Highly Migratory Species

Tunas For Highly Migratory Species Compliance Guide Visit:

Billfish https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/atlantic-highly-migratory-species/ atlantic-highly-migratory-species-fishery-compliance-guides Contact the HMS Division of NOAA Fisheries for more information: 301-427-8503

| 14

Shark Blackfin Photo: SERO, NOAA Photo: Glen Balinger

Billfish: Blue Billfish: Photo: NOAA Photo: Myron Fischer Recreational Permit Requirements Permit Required for:

Charter vessel/headboat coastal pelagics permit Charter vessel and headboats fishing for king mackerel, , and cobia. NOTE: Issuance of new permits is under a moratorium effective 6/16/2003. Charter vessel/headboat reef fish permit Charter vessels and headboats fishing for snappers, groupers, amberjack, tilefish, hogfish, and gray triggerfish. NOTE: Issuance of new permits is under a moratorium effective 6/16/2003. Highly migratory species (HMS) charter/headboat All charter or headboats that fish for or possess highly permit migratory species.

HMS recreational permit Owners of vessels used to fish recreationally for Atlantic HMS - Atlantic (other than blackfin), billfish, sharks, and swordfish. 15 | Recreational Anglers Private Recreational Anglers need a saltwater recreational fishing license or registration from any state or U.S. Territory, except , Puerto Rico, or the U.S. Virgin . Visit the National Saltwater Angler Registry to to determine if registration is required.

Photo: NOAA/NMFS/William Folsom Photo: Emily Muehlstein Additional Rules Two-Day Bag Limit Persons on qualified charter vessels or headboats with two captains for trips in excess of 24 hours may possess a 2-day bag limit of reef fish, king mackerel, and Spanish mack- erel. One-day bag limits apply to all other species and trips, regardless of length. Head & Fins Attached All fish, except for bait and oceanic migratory species, taken from federal waters must have heads and fins intact through landing. Up to 1.5 pounds of legal finfish per person is exempt from this rule for personal consumption at sea, provided the vessel is equipped to cook such finfish.

For-Hire Captains and For-hire captains and crew are prohibited from retaining bag limits of any grouper, red Crew snapper, or greater amberjack while under charter.

Federally Permitted Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of fed- For-Hire Reef Fish eral or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters. Vessels Reef Fish as Bait The use of federally managed reef fish as bait is prohibited.

| 16 Non-Stainless Steel Vessels participating in the reef fish fishery must possess dehooking devices and use non- Circle Hooks stainless steel circle hooks when using natural baits.

Gear Reef fish gear is limited to no more than 3 hooks in a special management zone off of Alabama. Nonconforming gear is restricted to bag limit. For reef fish without a bag limit, nonconforming gear is restricted to 5% by weight of all fish onboard. Stressed Areas Use of roller trawls and power heads for taking reef fish is prohibited in designated stressed areas. Stressed areas for reef fish begin at the shoreward boundary of federal waters and generally follow the 10 fathom contour from the Dry Tortugas to Sanibel ; the 20 fathom contour to Tarpon Springs; the 10 fathom contour to Cape San Blas; the 25 fathom contour to south of Mobile ; the 13 fathom contour to Island, Mississippi; the 10 fathom contour off ; and the 30 fathom contour off .

Sale of Recreationally Reef fish taken under the recreational bag limit may not be sold. Caught Reef Fish

Care and Release of Operators of vessels with Gulf of Mexico reef fish commercial or charter vessel/head- Incidental Catch of boat permits must comply with guidelines for proper care and release of incidentally Smalltooth and caught smalltooth sawfish and sea and must possess onboard specific gear to Sea Turtles ensure proper release of such species. Measurement Guidelines Fork length: the straight-line distance from the tip of the head (snout) to the rear center edge of the tail (caudal fin). Total length: the straight-line distance from the tip of the snout to the tip of the tail (caudal fin), excluding any caudal filament, while the fish is lying on its side. The mouth of the fish may be closed and/or the tail may be squeezed together to give the greatest overall measurement. Carapace length: The carapace is measured beginning at the forward edge between the rostral horns, excluding and soft tissue, and proceeding along the middle to the rear edge of the carapace.

17 | Marine Sanctuaries and Area Closures Detailed maps, coordinates, and regulations associated with each area can be found on pages 19-32. Note: All coordinates have been converted to degrees, minutes, seconds.

| 18 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Below is a summary of regulated activity within the FGBNMS. For the full text, contact the Sanctuary office at 409-621-5151 or visitwww.flowergarden.noaa.gov . Fishing and Related Activities The following activities are generally prohibited: • Injuring, catching, harvesting, collecting or feeding, or attempting to injure, catch, harvest, collect or feed, any fish within the sanctuary by use of any gear, device, equipment or means (e.g. spear guns, nets) except by use of conventional hook and line gear. • Possessing (except while passing through the sanctuary without interruption) any fishing gear, device, equipment, or means except conventional hook and line gear. • Possessing or using explosives or releasing electrical charges within the sanctuary. Conventional hook and line gear means any fishing apparatus operated aboard a vessel and composed of a single line terminated by a combination of sinkers and hooks or lures and spooled upon a reel that may be hand or electrically operated, hand-held or mounted. Anchoring and Mooring The following activities are prohibited: • Anchoring any vessel within the Sanctuary. 19 | • Mooring a vessel over 100 feet in registered length on a Sanctuary mooring buoy. Discharges Discharging or depositing any material or other matter within the Sanctuary is prohibited, with the following exceptions: • Fish, fish parts, materials or bait used in or resulting from fishing with conventional hook and line gear in the sanctuary. • Clean effluent from an operable Type I or Type II marine sanitation devise (MSD). • Clean water generated by routine vessel operations (e.g. engine exhaust, cooling water, deck wash down, and gray water), excluding oily wastes from bilge pumping. Injury to or Possession of Sanctuary Resources The following activities are generally prohibited: • Injuring or removing, or attempting to injure or remove, any coral or other bottom formation, coralline algae or other plant, marine (e.g., spiny lobster, queen , shell, ) - seep biota or carbonate rock. • Possessing within the Sanctuary (regardless of where collected), any coral or other bottom formation, coralline algae or other plant, or fish (except for fish caught by use of conventional hook and line gear). • Drilling into, , or otherwise altering the seabed of the sanctuary; or constructing, placing, or abandoning any structure, material, or other matter on the seabed of the Sanctuary. Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC §622.34 - Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures. (j) West and East Flower Garden Banks HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, dredge, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round. (s) Stetson Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round.

| 20 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary

Stetson Bank Position Latitude Longitude A 28°10’38.3” N 94°18’36.5” W B 28°10’38.3” N 94°17’06.3” W C 28°09’18.6” N 94°17’06.3” W D 28°09’18.6” N 94°18’36.5” W A 28°10’38.3” N 94°18’36.5” W

East Flower Garden Bank Position Latitude Longitude

A 27°59’14.4” N 93°38’58.2” W 21 | B 27°59’14.4” N 93°34’03.5” W C 27°52’36.5” N 93°34’03.5” W D 27°52’36.5” N 93°38’58.2” W A 27°59’14.4” N 93°38’58.2” W

West Flower Garden Bank Position Latitude Longitude A 27°55’22.8” N 93°53’09.6” W B 27°55’22.8” N 93°46’46.0” W C 27°49’03.0” N 93°46’46.0” W D 27°49’03.0” N 93°53’09.6” W A 27°55’22.8” N 93°53’09.6” W McGrail Bank 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC §622.34 - Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

(t) McGrail Bank HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round.

Texas

Louisiana

| 22 McGrail with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round. McGrail Bank Position Latitude Longitude A 27°59’06.0”N 92°37’19.2” W B 27°59’06.0” N 92°32’17.4” W C 27°55’55.5” N 92°32’17.4”W D 27°55’55.5” N 92°37’19.2” W A 27°59’06.0” N 92°37’19.2” W

23 |

Actinoscyphia Staghorn coral Photo: NOAA Photo: Carrie Simmons

Lophelia reef Reef Photo: NOAA Photo: NOAA/FKNMS Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS) Tortugas North and South Ecological Reserves

| 24 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary (FKNMS)

Tortugas North and Tortugas South Ecological Reserves are closed to all fishing. Anchoring of fishing vessels is also not allowed. The boundaries of the areas are as follows:

Tortugas North Ecological Reserve Point Latitude Longitude A 24°46’00” N 83°06’00” W B 24°46’00” N 82°54’00” W C 24°45’48” N 82°48’00” W D 24°43’31.8” N 82°48’00” W E 24°43’31.8” N 82°52’00” W

F 24°43’00” N 82°54’00” W 25 | G 24°39’00” N 82°58’00” W H 24°39’00” N 83°06’00” W A 24°46’00” N 83°06’00” W

Tortugas South Ecological Reserve Point Latitude Longitude A 24°33’00” N 83°09’00 W B 24°33’00” N 83°05’00” W C 24°18’00” N 83°05’00” W D 24°18’00” N 83°09’00” W A 24°33’00” N 83°09’00” W Madison Swanson, Steamboat Lumps, and the Edges

50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC §622.34 - Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures. (k) Closure provisions applicable to the Madison and Swanson sites, Steamboat Lumps, and the Edges. (2) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps, possession of Gulf reef fish is prohibited, except for such possession aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in paragraph (k) (4) of this section. (3) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps during November through April, and within the Edges during January through April, all fishing is prohibited, and possession of any fish species is prohibited, except for such possession aboard a vessel in transit with fishing gear stowed as specified in paragraph (k)(4) of this section. The provisions of this paragraph, (k)(3), do not apply to highly migratory species. (4) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, transit means non-stop progression through the area; fishing gear appropriately stowed means - | 26 (i) A longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on deck. (ii) A trawl net may remain on deck, but trawl doors must be disconnected from the trawl gear and must be secured. (iii) A gillnet must be left on the drum. Any additional gillnets not attached to the drum must be stowed below deck. (iv) A rod and reel must be removed from the rod holder and stowed securely on or below deck. Terminal gear (i.e., hook, leader, sinker, flasher, or bait) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the rod and reel. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and stowed separately. (5) Within the Madison and Swanson sites and Steamboat Lumps, during May through October, surface is the only allowable fishing activity. For the purpose of this paragraph (k)(5), surface trolling is defined as fishing with lines trailing behind a vessel which is in constant motion at speeds in excess of four knots with a visible wake. Such trolling may not involve the use of down riggers, wire lines, planers, or similar devices. (6) For the purpose of paragraph (k) of this section, fish means finfish, mollusks, , and all other forms of marine and plant life other than marine mammals and . Highly migratory species means tuna species, marlin ( spp. and spp.), oceanic sharks, (Istiophorus spp.), and swordfish (Xiphias gladius). Madison Swanson and Steamboat Lumps

Alabama

Florida

27 | The Edges (40 fathom contour)

Florida

| 28 Madison-Swanson and Steamboat Lumps Reserves are closed to reef-fish fishing year round. Surface trolling for species other than reef fish is allowed May 1 through October 31. Madison-Swanson Position Latitude Longitude A 29°17’ 00”N 85°50’ 00”W B 29°17’ 00”N 85°38’ 00”W C 29°06’00” N 85°38’ 00”W D 29°06’00” N 85°50’ 00”W A 29°17’00” N 85°50’ 00”W

Steamboat Lumps Marine Reserve Position Latitude Longitude A 28°14’00” N 84°48’ 00”W 29 | B 28°14’00” N 84°37’ 00”W C 28°03’00” N 84°37’ 00”W D 28°03’ 00”N 84°48’ 00”W A 28°14’ 00”N 84°48’ 00”W

The Edges (40 fathom contour) is closed January 1 through April 30 to all fishing. The Edges is a 390 nautical square mile region northwest of Steamboat Lumps. The Edges Position Latitude Longitude A 28°51’00” N 85°16’00” W B 28°51’00” N 85°04’00” W C 28°14’00” N 84°42’00”W D 28°14’00” N 84°54’00” W A 28°51’00” N 85°16’00” W The Middle Grounds 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC §622.34 - Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures. (b) Florida middle grounds HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited year round.

Florida

| 30 The Middle Grounds Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, dredge, pot, or trap is prohibited year-round.

Middle Grounds Position Latitude Longitude A 28°42’30”N 84°24’ 48”W B 28°42’ 30”N 84°16’ 18”W C 28°11’ 00”N 84°00’00”W D 28°11’ 00”N 84°07’ 00”W E 28°26’ 36”N 84°24’ 48”W A 28°42’ 30”N 84°24’ 48”W

31 |

Squat lobster on black coral Photo: NOAA/Okeanos Expedition 2014

Red Bream and decadactylus Diver at Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary Photo: NOAA Photo: NOAA/FGBNMS/G.P. Schmahl Pulley Ridge 50 CFR: Wildlife and Fisheries - PART 622 FISHERIES OF THE CARIBBEAN, GULF OF MEXICO, AND SOUTH ATLANTIC §622.34 - Gulf EEZ seasonal and/or area closures.

(r) Pulley Ridge HAPC. Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round in the HAPC.

Florida

| 32 Pulley Ridge Fishing with a bottom longline, bottom trawl, buoy gear, pot, or trap and bottom anchoring by fishing vessels are prohibited year-round. Pulley Ridge Position Latitude Longitude A 24°58’18” N 83°38’33” W B 24°58’18” N 83°37’00” W C 24°41’11” N 83°37’00”W D 24°40’00” N 83°41’22” W E 24°43’55” N 83°47’15” W A 24°58’18” N 83°38’33” W 33 |

Red Grouper with fish at Pulley Ridge Photo: Coral Ecosystem Connectivity 2014, NOAA Gulf of Mexico Federal Waters The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in the federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico Exclusive Economic Zone. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend to the 200-mile limit of the Gulf of Mexico. Title 50: Wildlife and Fisheries

Part 600 - Magnuson-Stevens Act Provisions Subpart B - Regional Fishery Management Councils

§ 600.105 Intercouncil boundaries.

(c) South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Councils. The Boundary coincides with the line of demarcation between the and the Gulf of Mexico, which begins at the intersection of the outer boundary of the EEZ, as specified in the Magnuson-Stevens Act, and 83°00’ W long., proceeds northward along that meridian to 24° 35’ N lat., (near the Dry Tortugas Islands), thence eastward along that parallel, | 34 through Rebecca and the Quicksand Shoal, to the Marquesas Keys, and then through the Florida Keys to the mainland at the eastern end of Florida Bay, the line so running that the narrow waters within the Dry Tortugas Islands, the Marquesas Keys and the Florida Keys, and between the Florida Keys and the mainland are within the Gulf of Mexico. State Authority in Federal Waters A state may regulate vessels that are registered in that state and fishing in federal waters for species for which there are no federal fishery management plans or applicable federal regulations, or for which the appropriate fishery management plan has delegated management of the state and the state rules are consistent with federal regulations. NOTE: Federally permitted for-hire reef fish vessels must comply with the more restrictive of federal or state reef fish regulations when fishing for reef fish in state waters. Important Phone Numbers

NOAA Fisheries Operations Branch- Southeast Regional Office 727-824-5301 NOAA Fisheries Permits and Regulations Branch 877-376-4877 (see below for tuna permit applications) To apply for permits online visit https://fisheriespermits.noaa.gov NOAA Fisheries nationwide federal fishing violations hotline 800-853-1964 NOAA Fisheries 24-hour Atlantic tuna information line 978-281-9260 NOAA Fisheries Atlantic tuna/Highly Migratory Species vessel permits 888-872-8862 NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Management Division 727-824-5399 NOAA Fisheries Swordfish/Billfish Recreational Reporting 800-894-5528 Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary 409-621-5151 Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary 305-809-4700 35 | South Atlantic Fishery Management Council 843-571-4366 Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission 228-875-5912 U.S. Coast Guard, 7th District (Florida east of St. Marks) 305-415-6683 U.S. Coast Guard, 8th District (St. Marks, Florida to Texas) 504-671-2020 Regional NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement 727-824-5344 NMFS Enforcement Field Offices: St. Petersburg, Florida 727-824-5344 Marathon, Florida 305-743-3110 Niceville, Florida 850-729-8628 Slidell, Louisiana 985-643-6232 Galveston, Texas 409-770-0812 Harlingen, Texas 956-423-3450 Important Phone Numbers continued

State Agencies

Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources - Marine Resources Division Fisheries Section - Information 251- 861-2882 24-Hour contact line to report state fishing violations 251-476-1256 Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission 850-488-4676 Marine - Infomation 850-487-0554 To report state fishing violations 888-404-3922 Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries 800-256-2749 To report state fishing violations 800-442-2511 Mississippi Department of Marine Resources 228-374-5000 | 36 To report state fishing violations-DMR Marine Patrol 844-WE-R-MDMR Texas Parks & Wildlife Department 800-792-1112 To report state fishing violations 800-792-4263 Regulation Changes and Updates This booklet is updated as changes in fishing regulations are implemented. For up-to-date regulations visit www.gulfcouncil.org or download the Fish Rules regulations app. Just visit http://gulfcouncil.org/ fish-rules-mobile-app/ NOTE: The Official Electronic Code of Federal Regulations for 50 CFR 622 for Fisheries of the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic is available online. Please visit: https://gov.ecfr.io/cgi-bin/ECFR

37 |

Mutton Snapper Photo: NOAA, FKNMS

Greater Amberjack Hogfish Photo: Paul Borowski Photo: Dylan Hubbard p | 813-348-1630/ 888-833-1844 e | [email protected] w | www.gulfcouncil.org